Bihar clears ₹1,700 cr Bridge in Bhagalpur

In a recent development in the state's road infrastructure sector, state government in Bihar has cleared the construction of a four-lane bridge parallel to Vikramshila Setu over the Ganga in Bhagalpur district entailing an investment of ₹1,700 crore, state road construction minister, Nand Kishore Yadav said, elaborating that the transport ministry has accorded national highways (NH) status to Bhagalpur-Naugachhia road. The detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed bridge has already been prepared by the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam. The length of the new bridge will be 4.367 km, while that of its approach roads from Bhagalpur and Naugachhia ends will be 0.978 km and 8.964 km, respectively. The state is in the process of acquiring the land as the need for construction of the new bridge was felt following dilapidated conditions of 4.5 km-long and 30 metre wide Vikramshila Setu. The ball bearings and shockers of the bridge were damaged, resulting in increase in the space between the expansion joints. The new bridge parallel to Vikramshila Setu will ensure smooth road connectivity between north Bihar and Jharkhand as well as Kolkata, he added.